A/N: Sorry it's been a while since last update, be warned this chapter is rated M, if you take offence then I apologise in advance and if you believe that the rating of the story needs to up, then put your views in a review and I will change the rating from T to M. But enjoy, this story will be concluding after a few more chapters.

January 2002

Draco was at the happiest he had ever been in his life, he ws finally in a place where he could say that he was moving on from his past. Having made peace with Potter, his friendships stronger than they ever had been and his family gradually getting back to being a happy one, he thought his life couldn't get any better. But he was proven wrong every time he saw his girlfriend.

He was still getting used to Tori being his girlfriend but it was still early days, having only been an official couple since her birthday in November. Two months and he found himself hating it when he dropped her home after a date because he didn't want to say goodbye and he looked forward to receiving her letters if he had been busy all week at the office and hadn't had a chance to stop by the house to see her.

It was during a rainy day in the middle of January that he returned to the manor after a half day at work. He had been spending so much time at the Ministry lately due to the continuous Lethifold attacks that were taking place, that he and Tori hadn't seen each other since Boxing Day where they had exchanged Christmas presents. Draco entered the study and went to dump his paperwork onto the side table when he froze, wishing that his parents would remember that he lived there to for he had just caught his parents sharing a passionate kiss and Lucius's hands had pushed up Narcissa's dress so it remained ruffled around her from where she sat on the desk. He coughed loudly, turning his gaze to the wall opposite the door and out of the corner of his eye, he saw his parents rearranged their clothing and flush bright red in embarrassment.

"We weren't expecting you home just yet." Lucius said, wrapping an arm around his wife's waist.

Draco turned back to his parents, not knowing who out of the three of them was the most embarrassed.

"You have a bedroom for Merlin's sake, the study is a place where I work." Draco complained.

Lucius smirked, "Now Draco don't be embarrassed. You should be pleased that your mother and I have a passionate and loving relationship."

"I'm thrilled for you." Draco replied sarcastically.

"It won't happen again darling." Narcissa promised.

"Just remember that I live here to."

Narcissa nodded and left the room, leaving the two men in her life alone in the study. Both were still embarrassed about Draco walking in on Lucius and Narcissa.

"Why do you think it so shameful?"

"The thought of you and mother having a physical relationship is quite sickening, but that's the thought of anyone my age and that thought."

"Draco it's a natural thing, surely you and Pansy had that side?"

"I tend not to think about my relationship with Pansy."

"Okay, well how about Tori?"

Draco glared at his father and left the study, Lucius followed shortly after and the two helped themselves to a brandy from the drink's cabinet.

"How are things going with you and Tori?" Lucius asked.

"Good, I'm seeing her tonight actually. St Mungo's is opening a new ward and the Minister is cutting the ribbon, he's asked the Head's of all department's go so I'm bringing Astoria as my plus one."

"I am rather glad that you got with her, she's a nice girl."

"I know she is."

"Have fun tonight." and then Lucius left the room to find Narcissa.

Draco finished his brandy and then finished writing his reports in the living room before eating a sandwich for a light dinner; there was going to be a buffet at the hospital. His mother came into his bedroom at six o'clock as he was putting on his tie to apologise for the scenario that he had caught her in with Lucius earlier. He accepted his mother's apology and the matter was put to rest, even if it was a memory that Draco knew would haunt him for the rest of his life.

At seven o'clock he took the floo network to the Greengrass house, noticing that Tori was once again looking breathtaking in a pink evening dress. The two left and arrived for the event at St Mungo's at seven-thirty. They were handed glasses of champagne and listened to the speech made by the head healer and clapped and toasted Minister Shacklebolt as he cut the ribbon to officially open the ward.

Draco and Tori helped themselves to some food and sat at one of the little round tables, chatting about various things; mostly about what they had been up to since they had last seen each other. Tori had left her job at Madam Malkin's and gotten a supervisor position at Twilfitt and Tattings, something which she enjoyed a lot more than she had ever done at Madam Malkin's. Tori didn't really need to work, her family weren't as rich as the Malfoys but they lived comfortably, but her job was something for her to do and to get out of the house.

"Mr Malfoy."

Draco turned to see that the Minister had joined them, he shook hands with his boss; out of politeness more than anything.

"Minister, this is my girlfriend Astoria Greengrass."

"It's nice to meet you Miss Greengrass."

"Likewise Minister, I rather like the reformation you have created over the past four years."

"Thank you. Draco I have been informed that you have donated a sum of money that helped with the ward being opened sooner than expected?" Shacklebolt asked.

Draco nodded, "It seemed the right thing to do."

"I am impressed, you are a good example of proving that people really can change."

"Thank you Minister."

Shacklebolt smiled and then left them to it, causing Tori to raise an eyebrow.

"Why didn't you say you donated?"

Draco shrugged and took a mouthful of champagne, "It was a while ago, back when I was still troubled."

"Well the Minister was right. You really have changed."

"I'm happy now and it's all thanks to you."

Tori blushed a light pink, "I doubt that." she replied.

"Why? I couldn't have done it without you by my side." Draco insisted.

The two finished eating their food and Draco introduced Tori to more associates and business partners of the Ministry before realising it was getting rather late. He and Tori said their goodbyes and headed back to the manor.

"Do you want a cup of tea?" Draco asked, closing the door behind them before taking off her winter cloak.

"Why not? I've still got some time before I have to go home." Tori replied cheerily.

Draco smiled and ordered one of the house elves to bring them two cups of tea in the living room. Tori sat on the sofa, watching as Draco pointed his wand at the fireplace; igniting the flames to warm them up. He sat next to Tori and leaned in to kiss her but was interrupted by the house elf bringing in the tea and rolled his eyes when the aged thing tripped over it's own feet on the way out of the room.

"You've changed the decoration since I was last here."

Draco let out a low laugh before taking a sip from his mug, "My mother, it's her latest project. Thinks the manor needs redecorating."

"I suppose it's a good time filling project."

He placed his tea on to the coffee table and shifted closer to Tori, placing a light kiss to her lips; something which he had wanted to do all evening. Astoria placed her tea next to Draco's and rested her head on his shoulder s he wrapped an arm around her. Both had wanted this time alone for weeks but both had busy work lives so it had been impossible. Both wished that they could stop time and enjoy this moment for a little longer.

"Draco, I need to go home soon."

He looked down at her and she leaned up and the two started kissing passionately, with Tori clutching the front of his suit and Draco cupping her face to deepen the kiss, tasting the champagne on her tongue she had consumed a few hours earlier. When Tori pulled away, Draco didn't stop kissing her; he swept her hair over to the opposite shoulder and placed kisses along her jaw and up and down her neck; not wanting her to go. Astoria closed her eyes, moaning softly at the contact of his lips against the sensitive skin. She pulled him back to her mouth and kissed him heatedly, both falling deeper into the sofa and Tori wrapped her legs around his waist; with Draco pushing the hem of her dress up her legs and his rough hands felt the silky skin of her calves and then up her thighs.

Draco pulled away to gasp for breath and his eyes looked deeply into hers, the green eyes burning with desire that told him that she didn't want to go home. Her fingers starting to undo his tie and then discarded it onto the floor. His lips found her neck again and then travelled up to her ear, nibbling lightly at the lobe as he felt her take off his shirt, groaning as her soft fingers began to trace patterns over his chest. His desire for her was growing and he knew she could tell when her hands went to the bulge in his trousers.

"Tori." he breathed with a rasp into her ear.

"I don't want to go home." she replied in a soft whisper, tucking her fingers under the waistband of his trousers.

"Are you sure?"

Astoria nodded, "Let me spend the night."

Draco grinned like a schoolboy and the two rose from the sofa and hurried upstairs to Draco's room. Before Draco entered the room, he lifted Tori off her feet causing her to squeal unexpectedly, he kicked the door shut and the two spent their first night together.